Tire chock

ABSTRACT

A tire chock having an at least partially threaded rod; a first trunnion having an aperture therethrough that receives the rod; first and second locking members, one locking member being rotatably fixed relative to the rod, the other locking member being rotatably fixed relative to the first trunnion. A tire chock may alternatively have an at least partially threaded rod; an upper trunnion rotatably attached to the rod; a lower trunnion threadedly attached to the rod, the lower trunnion translating axially relative to the rod upon rotation of the rod relative to the lower trunnion; a pair of linkage arms, the pair of linkage arms forming an X-shape, each linkage arm being connected to the lower trunnion by a drive arm and being connected to the upper trunnion by a support arm, wherein, as the rod is rotated relative to the lower trunnion, the linkage arms expand or contract.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wheel or tire chocks forrecreational vehicles and trailers. More specifically, the presentapplication relates to wheel or tire chocks that are lockable in anengaged position to prevent theft, and chocks that have an improvedlinkage and engagement position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tire chocks are used to prevent a vehicle or trailer at rest frominadvertently rolling or moving. Tire chocks function by retarding themovement of the wheel, such that the wheel is effectively locked inplace. One of the problems with current tire chocks is that they aresusceptible to being stolen, as the tire chock can be removed by anyperson possessing an appropriately-sized wrench. Another problem withexisting tire chocks is that the linkage assembly in the components iscomplicated and expensive to manufacture.

As such, there is a need for an improved tire chock that addresses oneor more problems of the prior art. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention are hereby submitted.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a tire chock may comprise an at least partiallythreaded rod; a first trunnion having an aperture therethrough thatreceives the rod; first and second locking members, one locking memberbeing rotatably fixed relative to the rod, the other locking memberbeing rotatably fixed relative to the first trunnion.

In a second embodiment, a tire chock may alternatively comprise an atleast partially threaded rod; an upper trunnion rotatably attached tothe rod; a lower trunnion threadedly attached to the rod, the lowertrunnion translating axially relative to the rod upon rotation of therod relative to the lower trunnion; a pair of linkage arms, the pair oflinkage arms forming an X-shape, each linkage arm being connected to thelower trunnion by a drive arm and being connected to the upper trunnionby a support arm, wherein, as the rod is rotated relative to the lowertrunnion, the linkage arms expand or contract.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tire chock in anexpanded or engaged position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tire chock of FIG. 1 in an expandedposition.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tire chock of FIG. 1 in a collapsedposition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tire chock of FIG. 1 in a collapsedposition.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the tire chock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the tire chock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is bottom view of the tire chock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the tire chock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tire chock.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the tire chock of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of a tire chock, generally identified byreference numeral 10, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Tire chock 10 maycomprise a longitudinally extending threaded bar or rod 20; a lowertrunnion 22; an upper trunnion 24; one or more locking members orwashers 28, 30; upper nut 32; handle 34; linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62; aplurality of linkage supports 44, 46, 48, 50, 64, 66, 68, 70; and tirecontact pads 80.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an at least partially threaded rod 20 mayextend through tire chock 10. Lower trunnion 22 may be threadedlyconnected to threaded rod 20 such that as the threaded rod 20 is rotatedrelative to lower trunnion 22, the trunnion 22 translates axiallyrelative to the threaded rod 20. Tire chock 10 may additionally compriseupper trunnion 24 that is rotatably connected to the threaded bar 20.Upper trunnion 24 may overlie a non-threaded portion of the threaded bar20 or may not comprise threads, such that as the threaded rod 20 rotatesrelative to upper trunnion 24, the upper trunnion 24 does not translaterelative to the threaded rod 20. Upper trunnion 24 may be associatedwith washer 26 to provide spacing between threaded portion of threadedbar 20 and non-threaded portion of threaded bar 20. As illustrated inFIG. 1, handle 34 may be attached to upper trunnion 24. Handle 34 mayhave portion 34d that includes an aperture therethrough, such thatthreaded bar 20 extends through handle portion 34d. As illustrated inFIG. 1, handle portion 34d may be located adjacent to an upper surfaceof trunnion 24 on one side, and locking member 28 on the other side.

Tire chock 10 may further comprise at least two locking members, such aswashers or disks 28, 30. Washers 28, 30 may have apertures therethroughthat receive threaded rod 20. In one embodiment, lower washer 28 may befixed relative to upper trunnion 24 and handle portion 34d. Any mannerknown in the art for fixing washer 28 relative to trunnion 24 and handle34 may be used. For example, washer 28 may be glued or welded to handle34 or trunnion 24, or may be formed monolithically with handle 34 ortrunnion 24.

One or more spacer washers 29 may also be located between lower washer28 and upper washer 30. Upper washer 30 may be fixed relative tothreaded rod 20 and upper nut 32. Similarly to washer 28, any mannerknown in the art for fixing washer 30 relative to nut 32 or threaded rod20 may be used. For example, washer 30 may be glued or welded to nut 32or threaded rod 20, or may be formed monolithically with nut 32 orthreaded rod 20. In such a configuration, nut 32, upper washer 30, andthreaded rod 20 are all in a fixed relationship relative to each other,such that as a user rotates nut 32, upper washer 30 and threaded rod 20also rotate. Washer 28 would not rotate relative to nut 32, upper washer30, and threaded rod 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, lower washer 28 and upper washer 30 maycomprise a plurality of apertures 36, 38 therethrough. Since lowerwasher 28 may be fixed relative to upper trunnion 24 and handle 34; andupper washer 30 may be fixed relative to threaded rod 20 and nut 32,tire chock 10 is able to be locked in any position by aligning aperture36 in lower washer 28 with aperture 38 in upper washer 30 and insertinga lock or pin through both apertures 36, 38. After the shaft of a lockor the like is inserted through apertures 36, 38, the threaded rod 20 isunable to be rotated relative to lower washer 28, handle 34, and thusupper trunnion 24. In use, a user may position the chock 10 between twotires 94, expand chock 10 by actuation/rotation of nut 32 by wrench orsimilar tool into a desired position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The usermay then align apertures 36, 38 and insert a lock therethrough. As thechock 10 may be frictionally secured between the respective tires 94,and the nut 32 is unable to be rotated to collapse the chock 10, thechock 10 may be locked in place until the lock is removed.

A second embodiment of chock 110 having a locking mechanism isillustrated in FIGS. 9-10. Chock 110 may comprise threaded rod 120;lower translating trunnion 122; upper trunnion 124; lower locking member128; upper locking member 130; nut 132; handle 134; a pair of lowerdriver arms 140 rotatably connected on one end to trunnion 122 androtatably connected on the other end to tire contact pads 180; and uppersupport arms 142 rotatably connected on one end to upper trunnion 124and rotatably connected on the other end to tire contact pads 180. Lowertrunnion 122 may be threadedly connected to threaded rod 120 such thattrunnion 122 translates axially relative to the rod 120 when the rod 120is rotated relative to trunnion 122. The axial translation of trunnion122 causes the chock 110 to expand or contract.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, lower locking member 128 and upper lockingmember 130 may comprise a plurality of apertures 136, 138 therethrough.Since lower locking member 128 may be fixed relative to upper trunnion124 and handle 134; and upper washer 130 may be fixed relative tothreaded rod 120 and nut 132, tire chock 110 is able to be locked in anyposition by aligning aperture 136 in lower locking member 128 withaperture 138 in upper locking member 130 and inserting a lock or pinthrough both apertures 136, 138. After the shaft of a lock or the likeis inserted through apertures 136, 138, the threaded rod 120 is unableto be rotated relative to lower locking member 128, handle 134, and thusupper trunnion 124. In use, a user may position the chock 110 betweentwo tires 94, and expand chock 110 by actuation/rotation of nut 132 bywrench or similar tool into a desired position. The user may then alignapertures 136, 138 and insert a lock therethrough. As the chock 110 maybe frictionally secured between the respective tires, and the nut 132 isunable to be rotated to collapse the chock 110, the chock 110 may belocked in place until the lock is removed.

In another aspect of an improved tire chock, as illustrated in FIGS.1-8, a tire chock may comprise threaded rod 20; lower trunnion 22 thatthreadedly receives threaded rod 20 and which translates relative tothread rod 20 upon rotation of threaded rod 20 relative to trunnion 22;and upper trunnion 24 that is rotatable relative to threaded rod 20 butdoes not translate when threaded rod 20 is rotated relative to uppertrunnion 24. Chock 10 may further comprise linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62.Each linkage arm end may be attached at an end thereof to a tireengaging pad 80.

As illustrated in the Figures, linkage arms 40 and 42 may be located onone side of the threaded rod 20, and linkage arms 60 and 62 maysimilarly configured as linkage arms 40 and 42 yet located on a sideopposite from linkage arms 40 and 42. Linkage arms 40 and 42 may berotatably connected at a center point by a rivet 92. Linkage arm 40 mayalso be connected on one end to a left lower tire contact pad 80 andconnected on the opposite end to a right upper contact pad 80. Linkagearm 42 may be similarly connected on one end to left upper tire contactpad 80 and connected on the opposite end to right lower tire contact pad80. In such a formation, linkage arms 40 and 42 form an “X” shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, linkage arm 40 may be rotatablyconnected on its lower portion to mobile trunnion 22 via a drive arm 48extending from a bolt or other connector 96 associated with mobiletrunnion 22 to a rivet 90 located between center point rivet 92 and tirepad connecting bolt 84. Similarly, linkage arm 42 may be connected onits lower portion to mobile trunnion 22 via drive arm 50 extending froma bolt or other connector 96 associated with mobile trunnion 22 to arivet 90 located between center point rivet 92 and tire pad connectingbolt 84. The drive arm connections to both the mobile trunnion 22 and tothe linkage arms 40, 42 may be rotatable.

To aid in stabilizing linkage arms 40 and 42, each arm 40, 42 may alsobe connected on its upper portion to upper stationary trunnion 24. Asillustrated, linkage arm 40 may be connected to upper trunnion 24 viasupport arm 46 extending from a bolt or other connector 96 associatedwith upper trunnion 24 to a rivet 90 located between center point rivet92 and tire pad connecting bolt 84. Similarly, linkage arm 42 may beconnected to upper trunnion 24 via support arm 44 extending from a boltor other connector 96 associated with upper trunnion 24 to a rivet 90located between center point rivet 92 and tire pad connecting bolt 84.

Linkage arms 60 and 62, drive arms 68, 70, and support arms 64, 66 maybe attached in a similar manner on the opposite side of threaded bar 20and trunnions 22, 24, forming a mirror image of linkage arms 40, 42,drive arms 48, 50, and support arms 44, 46, as described below.

Linkage arms 60 and 62 may be rotatably connected at a center point by arivet 92. Linkage arm 60 may also be connected on one end to a leftlower tire contact pad 80 and connected on the opposite end to a rightupper contact pad 80. Linkage arm 62 may be similarly connected on oneend to left upper tire contact pad 80 and connected on the opposite endto right lower tire contact pad 80. In such a formation, linkage arms 40and 42 form an “X” shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, linkage arm 60 may be rotatablyconnected on its lower portion to mobile trunnion 22 via a drive arm 68extending from a bolt or other connector 96 associated with mobiletrunnion 22 to a rivet 90 located between center point rivet 92 and tirepad connecting bolt 84. Similarly, linkage arm 62 may be connected onits lower portion to mobile trunnion 22 via drive arm 70 extending froma bolt or other connector 96 associated with mobile trunnion 22 to arivet 90 located between center point rivet 92 and tire pad connectingbolt 84. The drive arm connections to both the mobile trunnion 22 and tothe linkage arms 60, 62 may be rotatable.

To aid in stabilizing linkage arms 60 and 62, each arm 60, 62 may alsobe connected on its upper portion to upper stationary trunnion 24. Asillustrated, linkage arm 60 may be connected to upper trunnion 24 viasupport arm 66 extending from a bolt or other connector 96 associatedwith upper trunnion 24 to a rivet 90 located between center point rivet92 and tire pad connecting bolt 84. Similarly, linkage arm 62 may beconnected to upper trunnion 24 via support arm 64 extending from a boltor other connector 96 associated with upper trunnion 24 to a rivet 90located between center point rivet 92 and tire pad connecting bolt 84.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the ends of linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62 maybe connected to tire contact pads 80. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-8, linkage arms 40 and 60 may be connected to the left lowercontact pad 80 and the right upper contact pad 80. Similarly, linkagearms 42 and 62 may be connected to the right lower contact pad 80 andleft upper contact pad 80.

Tire contact pads 80 may each include two mounting flanges 82 thatinclude an aperture (not numbered) that receive bolts or other fasteners84. To connect the respective tire contact pad 80 to chock 10, theapertures in mounting flanges 82 are aligned with correspondingapertures in the respective linkage arms 40, 60 or 42, 62 and the boltor fastener 84 is inserted through each aperture. A nut or otherfastener may be used to secure the bolt 84 in place. When attached tochock 10, the tire contact pads may be rotatable relative to theassociated linkage arms 40, 60 or 42, 62.

It is contemplated that the chock 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 may 1⅜inches wide when the chock is in its contracted position. As the chock10 expands, linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62 rotate about their center points92, such that the lower portions of the linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62rotate outward and upward, and the upper portions of the linkage arms40, 42, 60, 62 rotate outward and downward. In other words, the “X”shapes formed by the linkage arms 40, 42, and 60, 62 goes from tallerand narrower to shorter and wider. As tire contact pads 80 may berotatably connected to the linkage arms 40, 42, 60, 62, the tire pads 80rotate to the ideal tire contact position and may accommodate differentsizes of tires 94.

The foregoing disclosure is illustrative of the present invention and isnot to be construed as limiting thereof. Although one or moreembodiments of the invention have been described, persons of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modificationscould be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosed invention. As such, it should be understood that all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention. The written description and drawings illustrate the presentinvention and are not to be construed as limited to the specificembodiments disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tire chock, comprising: an at least partiallythreaded rod; a first trunnion having an aperture therethrough thatreceives the rod; a first support member, having two opposite ends,rotatably connected to the first trunnion and supporting a first contactpad and a second contact pad at respective opposite ends; a secondsupport member, having two opposite ends, rotatably connected to thefirst trunnion and supporting a first contact pad and a second contactpad at respective opposite ends; wherein the first support member andthe second support member are both rotatably connected to the firsttrunnion about a common center point; a first locking member rotatablyfixed relative to the rod; and a second locking member rotatably fixedrelative to the first trunnion.
 2. The tire chock of claim 1, whereinboth the first and second locking members each have at least oneaperture therethrough, the apertures being adapted to receive a lock. 3.The tire chock of claim 1, further comprising a second trunnionthreadedly attached to the threaded rod.
 4. A tire chock, comprising: anat least partially threaded rod; an upper trunnion rotatably attached tothe rod; a lower trunnion threadedly attached to the rod, the lowertrunnion translating axially relative to the rod upon rotation of therod relative to the lower trunnion; a first locking member rotatablyfixed relative to the rod; a second locking member rotatably fixedrelative to the upper trunnion; and a pair of linkage arms, each havingtwo opposite ends, each linkage arm supporting at least one contact padat each end of each linkage arm, the pair of linkage arms forming anX-shape, each linkage arm being connected to the lower trunnion by arespective drive arm rotatably connected to the lower trunnion and beingconnected to the upper trunnion by a respective support arm rotatablyconnected to the upper trunnion, the pair of linkage arms both rotatablyconnected about a common center point, wherein, as the rod is rotatedrelative to the lower trunnion, the linkage assembly formed by thelinkage arms expand or contract.
 5. A tire chock comprising an at leastpartially threaded rod; a first trunnion having an aperture therethroughthat receives the rod; a first support member, having two opposite endsand a center point therebetween, the first support member supporting afirst contact pad and a second contact pad at respective opposite ends;a second support member, having two opposite ends and a center pointtherebetween, the second support member supporting a third contact padand a fourth contact pad at respective opposite ends; wherein the firstsupport member center point and the second support member center pointare rotatably connected to each other and both the first support memberand second support member are each rotatably interconnected to the firsttrunnion about a common center point on the first trunnion; a firstlocking member rotatably fixed relative to a rotation of the rod; and asecond locking member rotatably fixed relative to the first trunnion. 6.The tire chock of claim 5, wherein both the first and second lockingmembers each have at least one aperture therethrough, the aperturesbeing adapted to receive a lock.
 7. The tire chock of claim 5, furthercomprising a second trunnion that is threadedly attached to the threadedrod.
 8. The tire chock of claim 5, wherein the first support member andthe second support member are rotatably interconnected to the firsttrunnion about the first trunnion common center point by way of a firstupper linkage arm that rotatably interconnects an upper midpoint of thefirst support member to the first trunnion common center point and byway of a second upper linkage arm that rotatably interconnects an uppermidpoint of the second support member to the first trunnion commoncenter point.
 9. The tire chock of claim 8, wherein axial movement ofthe first trunnion along the at least partially threaded rod drives thefirst upper linkage arm and second upper linkage arm, so as to expand orcollapse the first support member's first and second contact pads and toexpand or collapse the second support member's third and fourth contactpads.
 10. The tire chock of claim 7, further comprising a first lowerlinkage arm and a second lower linkage arm, the first lower linkage armrotatably interconnecting a common center point on the second trunnionto a lower midpoint of the second support member, the second lowerlinkage arm rotatably interconnecting the second trunnion common centerpoint to a lower midpoint of the first support member.
 11. The tirechock of claim 10, wherein rotation of the at least partially threadedrod relative to the second trunnion threadedly attached thereto causesthe second trunnion to translate axially along the at least partiallythreaded rod, and wherein translation of the second trunnion drives thefirst lower linkage arm and second lower linkage arm to expand orcollapse the first support member's first and second contact pads andthe second support member's third and fourth contact pads, respectively.12. The tire chock of claim 11, wherein the first trunnion does nottranslate relative to the at least partially threaded rod.
 13. The tirechock of claim 12, wherein the first support member and the secondsupport members are rotatably connected to the first trunnion commoncenter point by way of a first upper linkage arm that rotatablyinterconnects an upper midpoint of the first support member to the firsttrunnion common center point and by way of a second upper linkage armthat rotatably interconnects an upper midpoint of the second supportmember to the first trunnion common center point.
 14. The tire chock ofclaim 8, wherein any of the first support member, the second supportmember, the first upper linkage arm, and the second upper linkage arm,comprise at least a pair of first support members, second supportmembers, first upper linkage arms, and second upper linkage arms,respectively.
 15. The tire chock of claim 13, wherein the first supportmember, the second support member, the first upper linkage arm, thesecond upper linkage arm, the first lower linkage arm, and the secondlower linkage arm are each disposed on a first side of the tire chock;wherein any of the first support member, the second support member, thefirst upper linkage arm, the second upper linkage arm, the first lowerlinkage arm, and the second lower linkage arm, comprise at least asecond first support member, second support member, first upper linkagearm, second upper linkage arm, first lower linkage arm, and second lowerlinkage arm, respectively; and wherein any of the respective at leastsecond first support member, second support member, first upper linkagearm, second upper linkage arm, first lower linkage arm, and second lowerlinkage arm are disposed on a second side of the tire chock opposite thefirst side.
 16. The tire chock of claim 8, further comprising a secondtrunnion that is threadedly attached to the threaded rod.
 17. The tirechock of claim 16 further comprising a first lower linkage arm and asecond lower linkage arm, the first lower linkage arm rotatablyinterconnecting a common center point on the second trunnion to a lowermidpoint of the second support member, the second lower linkage armrotatably interconnecting the second trunnion common center point to alower midpoint of the first support member.
 18. The tire chock of claim17, wherein rotation of the at least partially threaded rod relative tothe second trunnion threadedly attached thereto causes the secondtrunnion to translate axially along the at least partially threaded rod,and wherein translation of the second trunnion drives the first lowerlinkage arm and second lower linkage arm to expand or collapse the firstsupport member's first and second contact pads and the second supportmember's third and fourth contact pads, respectively.
 19. The tire chockof claim 5 further comprising a handle fixed relative to another portionof the tire chock.
 20. The tire chock of claim 18 further comprising ahandle attached to at least one of the first and second trunnions.
 21. Atire chock, comprising: an at least partially threaded rod having anupper end and a lower end; an upper trunnion having an aperturetherethrough that receives the rod, the upper trunnion disposed about anupper portion of the at least partially threaded rod; a lower trunniondisposed about a lower portion of the at least partially threaded rod; apair of linkage arms, each having an upper end and a lower end, theupper end and lower end being opposite from each other, wherein thelinkage arms are rotatable about a common center point and form anx-shape, and each upper end having an upper contact pad pivotallyattached thereto and each lower end having a lower contact pad pivotallyattached thereto; a respective lower arm connected to each linkage armbetween the common center point and the respective lower end, each lowerarm rotatably connected to the lower trunnion; a respective upper armconnected to each linkage arm between the common center point and therespective upper end, each upper arm rotatably connected to the uppertrunnion; a first locking member rotatably fixed relative to thethreaded rod; and a second locking member rotatably fixed relative tothe upper trunnion, wherein as the rod is rotated relative to the lowertrunnion and the upper trunnion, at least the lower trunnion translatesaxially relative to the rod to expand or contract the contact padsrelative to the at least partially threaded rod.
 22. The tire chock ofclaim 21, wherein each upper contact pad and each lower contact padincludes a fastener that pivotally attaches the contact pad to thelinkage arm.
 23. The tire chock assembly of claim 21, wherein thelinkage arms are pivotably attached at the common center point.
 24. Thetire chock of claim 21 further comprising a handle attached to at leastone of the upper and lower trunnions.
 25. The tire chock assembly ofclaim 21 further comprising a second pair of linkage arms each having anupper end and a lower end, the upper end and lower end being oppositefrom each other, wherein the linkage arms are rotatable about a commoncenter point and form an x-shape; each upper end pivotally attached tothe upper contact pad and each lower end pivotally attached to the lowercontact pad; and a second respective lower arm connected to each secondlinkage arm between the common center point and a respective lower end,each second lower arm ratably connected to the lower trunnion, arespective second upper arm connected to each second linkage arm betweenthe common center point and a respective upper end, each second upperarm rotatably connected to the upper trunnion, wherein the second pairof linkage arms are spaced from the pair of linkage arms by the upperand lower trunnion.
 26. The tire chock of claim 25, wherein the pair oflinkage arms are pivotally attached at the common center point by afastener and wherein the second pair of linkage arms is attached by asecond fastener.